Integers: BCD
Since people think in decimal, it may be convenient to use a decimal-like representation.
Binary coded decimal (BCD) uses unsigned binary to represent each decimal digit.
How many bits are needed?
4 bits per decimal digit: ceil (lg 10) = 4
Since 4 bits can represent 16 values, 6 values are unused for every digit.
Advantages
Decimal input/output doesn't require complicated conversion.
Fewer problems with repeating fractions.
Some early computers used BCD representation, and many calculators still use BCD.
Example:
Represent 1739ten in BCD:
decimal 1 7 3 9
BCD 0001 0111 0011 1001
Since calculators can be much slower than computers, they can use hardware which
operates on 4 bits at a time.
Negative values are represented using 10's complement (similar to 2C).